The federal government has a central role to play in reversing the legacy of racial segregation and disinvestment that disproportionately harms low-income communities of color. Developed in a partnership between Urban Institute and PolicyLink, this blueprint aims to help federal agency officials, congressional staff, and policy advocates design a next generation of place-based policies and programs that catalyze lasting improvements for the benefit of current and future residents. It responds to the priorities of local practitioners to actively address racial inequity and injustice, bridge sectors and policy domains, respect and build community voice and power, deliver sufficient resources and lasting system reforms, and promote continuous learning. The guidelines offered here apply lessons from past programs and reflect input from a policy working group made up of civic leaders working in communities across the country.

The nation’s first comprehensive racial equity blueprint for federal agencies, For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity provides resources, tools, and a plan for federal agency leaders to implement President Biden’s historic executive order on advancing racial equity.

Geared toward staff working within federal agencies, For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity also includes tools that are applicable for equity advocates across the nation working inside and outside of government, including:

• Several key roles the federal government can use to shape racial equity
• The transformative potential equity presents for key socioeconomic outcomes
• Guiding principles that can serve as a common foundation for the work across the federal government
• A starter tool for conducting and refining an initial equity assessment
• A tool for agencies to develop a strategic vision and action plan to advance equity, and guidance on how to launch this journey

Download the executive summary.
Download the accompanying user guide.

The nation’s first comprehensive racial equity blueprint for federal agencies, For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity provides resources, tools, and a plan for federal agency leaders to implement President Biden’s historic executive order on advancing racial equity.

Geared toward staff working within federal agencies, For Love of Country: A Path for the Federal Government to Advance Racial Equity also includes tools that are applicable for equity advocates across the nation working inside and outside of government, including:

• Several key roles the federal government can use to shape racial equity
• The transformative potential equity presents for key socioeconomic outcomes
• Guiding principles that can serve as a common foundation for the work across the federal government
• A starter tool for conducting and refining an initial equity assessment
• A tool for agencies to develop a strategic vision and action plan to advance equity, and guidance on how to launch this journey

Download the executive summary.
Download the accompanying user guide.